Our Breeding Program

At present Helping Hounds breeds AKC registered Labrador Retriever puppies of quality for pet, therapy, service, sport, and emotional support.
 
Puppies best suited for pet and performance lifestyles need loving, lifelong homes in addition to puppies who enter service dog training. As of 2021 we are delivering 3 litters per year. Clients may reserve puppies with an initial deposit of $500 up to 2 years in advance.

Puppies best suited for service work are tested via our temperament test. They are then matched with a handler who then embarks on the journey of raising the dog with HHUSA's close guidance while participating in our completely customized and individualized owner trainer program.


Puppy Application

Each puppy is hand picked for the buyer by Helping Hounds. Find our puppy application here. Each applicant requires a $50 refundable application fee applicable to the initial deposit of accepted applicants. This means the fee will be refunded to the applicants who may not be suited to any puppy in the litter(s) at the time of submission.


Our Temperament Test

The HHUSA Service Dog Prospect Temperament Test was developed as a unique way to score a canine's temperament between the ages of 7 and 8 weeks old. It is quantified on a scale geared toward service dog prospect candidacy. Each puppy's test is video recorded and kept on file for his or her future owner-handler or trainer's reference.


Pick-up or Delivery

Puppy delivery within the Continental US is available upon request. Additional fees apply on an individual basis to buyers who wish for Helping Hounds to travel and drop off their puppy either by road or plane. Helping Hounds will not under any circumstance(s) authorize for a puppy to travel in airplane cargo.


Prices
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$2,500 Pet; ESA; performance; and/or therapy temperaments
$3,000 Service dog or working dog temperament (training not included)
$12,000 Service dog temperament + 24 months of private training sessions through the HHUSA Owner-Trainer Program.

There is an initial deposit of $500 due upon acceptance of a client's puppy application. Acceptance of an application means Helping Hounds is in possession of a puppy that is suitable for the applicant's lifestyle and needs. Upon puppy application acceptance HHUSA will schedule and conduct a video chat style interview via FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, or Facebook.

The aforementioned deposit is counted toward the total cost of the puppy. This total is due when the puppy is 8 weeks old. HHUSA puppies are ready to go to their forever homes at 10 weeks old.

Aside from the puppy application fee, transactions toward purchase of a Helping Hounds puppy are conducted via Zelle or cash.


Contract

Although a public sample of our puppy contract is not available at this time, contract samples are available upon email request. A contract signature is due when the puppy is 8 weeks old or ASAP thereafter upon total payment.


HHUSA's Owner Trainer Program

Owner-trainers who purchase a Helping Hounds USA puppy with a service dog temperament are expected and contracted to participate in the HHUSA Owner-Trainer Program (OTP). Exceptions to this stipulation include individuals who already have an experienced service dog trainer in place to guide them.*

This program is open to disabled individuals aged 18+ who reside in North America (continental US and Canada). HHUSA's OTP includes contractual commitment to weekly, private training sessions with HHUSA's Head Trainer Alexandra Moine for 24 consecutive months. The cost of participating in the owner trainer program totals $12,000. More information is available upon email request.

*Individuals who choose a trainer outside HHUSA are not eligible for training guarantees or puppy replacement policies.